Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan has tentatively backed a tramlink for Sutton.

The Tooting MP said he was impressed with how Croydon's trams had regenerated that area, and said he was interested in bringing the shuttles to Sutton.

But yesterday, during a visit to the Salvation Army cafe in Benhill Avenue, he said he would wait to see evidence it would really make a difference.

He also said better transport links across the capital would improve overall quality of life.

He said: "If it was easier and cheaper for workers here to get to central London then that would make life more bearable, but why can’t employers relocate to local areas like Sutton?

"One of my roles as mayor would be to work with London Assembly members to get a good quality of life in their areas, which means green spaces, good public transport and it means places of work as well.

"More work will mean the area will be regenerated, there will be less distance to travel if you live in the local area and it makes the area more vibrant."

Mr Khan announced in Kingston last week that he wants to introduce a public transport system across south west London including a move towards trams, including a tramlink through the Sutton town centre if deemed viable.

And he said Transport for London (TfL) should run suburban commuter trains - adding his voice to that of Lord Adonis, who mooted the strategy earlier this year.

He said: "I think the mayor should take over commuter trains coming into London.

"If you look at the London overground, which used to be run by a private company, it was awful but once TfL took over it is now one of the most-improved train operating companies in the country.

"If I took over the commuter trains I am hoping to see the same sort of improvement."

Mr Khan also said he wants to provide more affordable housing by telling developers half of all new homes need to be genuinely affordable, but ruled out building on green spaces to accommodate the demand for housing in the city.

However, in Kingston, where the council already has a target of 50 per cent affordable homes in large developments, that figure is rarely achieved.